In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Women Behaving Badly

Plays covered: The Killing of Sister George by Frank Marcus, The Maids by Jean Genet, The Boston Marriage by David Mamet, Five Women Wearing the Same Dress by Alan Ball and Attempts on her Life by Martin Crimp

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Moira Buffini, James Graham and Rona Munro discuss their experiences of writing history plays. Chaired by Sebastian Born (NT Associate Director, Literary).

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Richard Eyre discusses his new book, What Do I Know?, with James Long at The Convent in South Woodchester, Gloucestershire.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

The director talks about his new book, What Do I Know? - People, Politics and the Arts, writings on people he has worked with, ideas he has struggled with, and things that have moved him.

This Platform is followed by a booksigning.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Domestic Dramas

Plays covered: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, Dear Octopus by Dodie Smith, Men Should Weep by Ena Lamont Stewart, Time and the Conways by J.B. Priestley and Phèdre by Jean Racine

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Diane Samuels’ play Kindertransport has enjoyed success all over the world since its premiere in 1993. The recently published Kindertransport: The author’s guide to the play has been described by The Stage as "an informative, enlightening contribution to textual study and performance."

Join actors Paula Wilcox, Ruth Mitchell and Sarah Shanson as they share their reflections on performing key roles and read excerpts from the play, alongside insights into the writing process from the author and commentary from one of the Kinder, Ruth Barnett.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

One Woman Plays

Plays covered: Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, Bed Among the Lentils by Alan Bennett, Grounded by George Brant, Spoonface Steinberg by Lee Hall and Happy Days by Samuel Beckett

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Drawing on his lifetime career in front of the camera (and sometimes behind it), Denis Lawson offers a wonderfully accessible introduction to acting for film and TV. For the young actor hoping to break into the industry – whether in a drama series, soap or sitcom – The Actor and the Camera is the ultimate insider’s guide.

This session will be a hosted Q&A with Denis Lawson offering hands-on, practical advice on how to succeed as an actor in the incredibly competitive TV and film industries.

There'll be a chance to network, a few glasses of wine, and the book itself will be available to buy at a discounted rate.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

In her groundbreaking book 100 Great Plays for Women, director Lucy Kerbel set out to challenge the commonly-held assumption that 'there are no good plays for women'.

In a series of thought-provoking sessions, well-known, obscure, much-loved and forgotten plays, all included in the book, are discussed and performed.

Actor and writer Alecky Blythe, creator of the award winning London Road at the National Theatre and the current Little Revolution at the Almeida, in which she is also acting, will give a masterclass on Tuesday 30 September at 2.30pm.

For more information, see the Masterclass website.

Enda Walsh on Irish playwriting – working with and against the great tradition. With James Moran, University of Nottingham.

For more information, and to book tickets, click here.

Playwright Rona Munro and director Laurie Sansom discuss The James Plays, a trilogy of plays about the kings of Scotland.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

The writer and director discusses his new play, Ballyturk. This Platform is followed by a booksigning.

For more information, and to book tickets, visit the National Theatre website here.

Meet comedy stars Mark Heap, Robert Webb and Mark Hadfield, and writers the Goodale brothers, of the hit West End show Jeeves & Wooster in 'Perfect Nonsense', a new play adapted from the works of P.G. Wodehouse for a special event in the Waterstones Piccadilly Café.

This occasion is the perfect opportunity to ask the actors about their current roles, their theatre careers and the exciting task of bringing characters to life on a journey from text to stage. Refreshments will be available for purchase at Café W.

The event is free, but please register your place by email at piccadilly@waterstones.com. For further details, call 020 7851 2400.

Michael Palin tells the story of how the famous shows and films were conceived, argued about, and brought to hilarious life in his new book, Monty Python at Work. Chaired by Edith Bowman.

Drawn from his published diaries, Monty Python at Work is Michael Palin’s account of the making of the Monty Python TV and stage shows, films, books and albums, spanning the years 1969-1983. An intimate guide to the legendary comedy group's exploits, it will delight Python fans everywhere, and be a source of instruction and inspiration to students and those who seek to follow in their footsteps.

This Platform is followed by a booksigning.

Three Nick Hern Books authors will be appearing at this year's Hay Festival, which runs from 22 May - 1 June 2014.

• Richard Eyre on Shakespeare's 450th and The Hollow Crown - more information here
• David Edgar delivers the Houseman Lecture - more information here
• Mark Rylance reads from Paul Kingsnorth's novel The Wake - more information here

Tickets can be booked via the links above.

A public lecture and launch party to celebrate the publication of Shakespeare in 100 Objects.

As we celebrate the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, the Victoria and Albert Museum's new Head of Research, Professor Bill Sherman, goes in search of the Bard.

Shakespeare is one of the few major figures from the arts and sciences whose name or portrait does not appear on the walls of the V&A, and yet his presence is everywhere in the collections and the lives of those who created them.

Where: The Lydia & Manfred Gorvy Lecture Theatre, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
When: Wednesday 30 April, 13.00 - 13.45

This event will be followed by a public tea party to celebrate the launch of Shakespeare in 100 Objects on the Lecture Theatre Landing, 13.45 - 14.15.

Want to meet genuine theatrical impressario and cult Twitter phenomenon West End Producer? Well, now's your chance!

He'll be appearing at the National Theatre Bookshop on London's South Bank on Saturday, 5 April between 1:00-3:00pm, signing copies of his hilarious book Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Acting (But Were Afraid to Ask, Dear), a witty guide to everything you need to know to get ahead in showbusiness.

As an added bonus, everyone who buys a copy of the book will get a free Actors' Alphabet A3 poster (while stocks last).

Do come along - it'll be a scream, dear.

Get a taste of the book on our blog: read WEP on auditions, or WEP on the secret to first-night presents.

Join Theatre Director and Drama Advisor Joss Bennathan, author of Making Theatre: The Frazzled Drama Teacher's Guide to Devising, for tips and strategies on managing a process that is often demanding, difficult and challenging for teachers and students alike. Part of the Drama UK series.

For more information on this workshop, and to book tickets, click here.

Maximise your chances at auditions with Andy Johnson, author of The Excellent Audition Guide. As part of the Drama UK series, learn more about auditioning for Drama School and discover top tips on how to be the best you can be.

For more information on this workshop, and to book tickets, click here.